As a family we have always done devotions in the mornings. I am not saying that every morning we have had devotions. There have been times we haven't done it because of scheduling purposes, etc., but what I am saying is that mornings have always been the default setting. We as a family decided to give it a go for evenings and it is fabulous. Maybe it is just going to be another season, but right now it works very well. Before it was whoever was up, took the kids to school, didn't have an early morning appointment, etc... Now we have devotions at 7 pm every night and we are all together. I love it. Ken has chosen an advent theme that he found off the computer which is simple, but keeps us looking forward to what we are supposed to look forward to. We use the projector and his computer to project it up on the wall of the lake house about ten feet across. Even Bama gets involved. Every night she follows the star as it cascades across the wall and begins to growl and bark. I think it's cute, Ken thinks it's distracting!
I am posting this because it has worked so well for us, and I really wanted you to know. The computer aspect has kept the kids involved and attentive. Anyway, for what it is worth, an idea for you all.
Awaiting the Bridegroom to come sweep me away................Lynn
I have gotten e-mails from my kids at college with links to what they want for Christmas. Ugghs, Garmin running watch, some kind of purse, North Face coats ... even tonight I announced that I wanted a satellite radio & a new trolling motor. So we all have our wants.
While researching Advent music (See previous post), I found a song I had never heard before about Christmas - that I think links us to what Christians became known for - being families to the unwanted.
Steven Curtis Chapman sings this - he, as many of you know has adopted children in the last 6 or so years. This last May his youngest, Maria, was killed in their driveway.
This makes be rethink my materialistic tendencies. Enjoy the song - as I said I had never heard it before today! And those of you with only 2 kids really listen to it! (Fruitful and multiply means at least 4! With 2 kids you only replace yourselves - been saying that for years!)
Our family started last night having Advent worship at 7 PM. We intend to do this every night not matter who is here or what is going on. In preparation, I have been researching on the internet Advent songs, worship material ... Did I tell you we are using the video projector and and the computer which makes it fun and interactive.
In my research I found the following information about one of my favorite hymns:
The Story Behind O Holy Night
O Holy Night was written by Placide Cappeau de Roquemaure in 1847. The music was written by Adolphe Charles Adams.
Placide was known for his poetry, and the lyrics to hte song are certainly poetry. He was approached by his parish priest to write something for the Christmas Mass, and this is what he came up with. He used the Gospel of Luke as his guide, and imagined what witnessing the birth of Jesus was like. He titled it "Cantique de Noel," which has become known in English as "O Holy Night."
The song was performed three weeks after the music and lyrics were finalized at a Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve.
It spread across the church and France very fast, and was performed in many Catholic services. Later, when Placide left the church, and it was discovered that Adams was a Jew, the heads of the French Catholic Church decreed it "unsuitable" for a Catholic Mass. However, it continued to be popular and sung throughout France.
Legend has it that on Christmas Eve 1871, in the midst of fierce fighting between the armies of Germany and France, during the Franco-Prussian War, a French soldier suddenly jumped out of his muddy trench. Both sides stared at the seemingly crazed man. Boldly standing with no weapon in his hand or at his side, he lifted his eyes to the heavens and sang, "Minuit, Chretiens, c'est l'heure solennelle ou L'Homme Dieu descendit jusqu'a nous," the beginning of "Cantique de Noel." After completing all three verses, a German infantryman climbed out his hiding place and answered with, "Vom Himmel noch, da komm' ich her. Ich bring' euch gute neue Mar, Der guten Mar bring' ich so viel, Davon ich sing'n und sagen will," the beginning of Martin Luther's robust "From Heaven Above to Earth I Come." The story goes that the fighting stopped for the next twenty-four hours while the men on both sides observed a temporary peace in honor of Christmas day. Perhaps this story had a part in the French church once again embracing "Cantique de Noel" in holiday services.
John Sullivan Dwight introduced O Holy Night to America. But he was an old man when on Christmas Eve, 1906, Reginald Fessenden broadcast a man's voice over the airwaves. What he broadcast was the story of the birth of Christ from the Gospel of Luke. Following his reading, he picked up his violin and played O Holy Night - which became the first song ever sent through airwaves.
Now it is a song recognized the world over and sung by many people. It is difficult, musically, because of the range a voice needs to cover all the notes that drop low, and go up to the high A. It can be difficult to play accompaniment for the song because of all the triplets in the music. But it is wonderful when done well, and has been sung for many Christmas Masses and celebrations around the world.
Here are the lyrics - notice especially the last verse. And here is a video of someone who knows the King singing about Him!
O holy night, the stars are brightly shining; It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth! Long lay the world in sin and error pining, Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope, the weary soul rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices! O night divine, O night when Christ was born! O night, O holy night, O night divine!
Led by the light of faith serenely beaming, With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand. So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming, Here came the wise men from Orient land. The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger, In all our trials born to be our Friend! He knows our need—to our weakness is no stranger. Behold your King; before Him lowly bend! Behold your King; before Him lowly bend!
Truly He taught us to love one another; His law is love and His Gospel is peace. Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother And in His Name all oppression shall cease. Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we, Let all within us praise His holy Name! Christ is the Lord! O praise His name forever! His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim! His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!
According to an article in NEW SCIENTIST entitled, "Ladies, your hands are a zoo," you ladies are dangerous! We knew that anyway but now we have proof!
A study showed that even though they wash their hands more frequently, (I guess that is true), women have more kinds of bacteria on their hands than men do. The study showed that five kinds of bacteria were present on all people, but even on a single person (don't know about a married person - maybe they meant something else ...) the bacteria on a dominant hand was differend than on a non-dominant hand. The researchers from the Univ. of Colorado were surprised by the differences between men and women and speculate that factors like "sweat, sebum production (don't know what that is but is sounds bad) hormones (we buy them in our house), and even the use of cosmetics (you mean we buy germs ...)" could contribute to the difference.
This reminds me of a story I tell about my Grandmother Margaret, who died at 101 and was so special to me. She was a long time Presbyterian but when she moved to Richmond she considered herself a missionary to the Methodist. Was a member of Centenary UMC in downtown Richmond for probably over 60 years. Well one day she told me that the new preacher was changing things that she did not like. He wore a robe that was like the pope's. Not a preaching robe like most protestants but kinda weird in her mind. But what really bothered her about his changes was the way he changed the way you take communion. Methodist always come up for the Lord's Supper and mostly use the prayer bench and partake. The new preacher, a Dr. Somebody, wanted to place the bread wafer into the mouths of the congregants. Grandma Margaret's not so silent protest was, "I am not going to do that, I was married to a man, and raised a man and I know that you never know where a man's hands have been!"
I guess if she was still alive she would find this research somewhat suspect! But it would be great to hear her tell that story again!
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